Scenario 5: A 55-year-old high school teacher begins experiencing a cough after

Scenario 5: A 55-year-old high school teacher begins experiencing a cough after a parent-teachers conference. Initially it was a mild cough and the teacher thought nothing of it since he had a history of asthma. As he was driving home, the cough became more intense, and he began experiencing chest tightness. He used his rescue inhaler as usual but did not get any relief. Minutes later he began experiencing chest pain, unlike the tightness that he experienced with his asthma. He began to sweat profusely, experience light-headedness and difficulty breathing. He attempted to pull into a park but passed out and struck the curve causing his vehicle to come to a stop. A passerby saw the incident and called 9-1-1. On the scene, the paramedic found the man unconscious. His EKG revealed ST segment elevation in the anterior leads (V3 and V4), his pulse was shallow, and respirations were 10 breaths/min. Upon arrival to the ER, a troponin level was 13ng/l and his CK level was 265 U/L.
This week, you examine alterations in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and the resultant disease processes. You also consider patient characteristics, including racial and ethnic variables, and the impact they have on altered physiology.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
• Analyze processes related to cardiovascular and respiratory disorders
• Analyze alterations in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and the resultant disease processes
• Analyze racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning
• Evaluate the impact of patient characteristics on disorders and altered physiology
ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignment (1- to 2-page case study analysis)
In your Case Study Analysis related to the scenario provided, explain the following.

• The cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary pathophysiologic processes that result in the patient presenting these symptoms.
• Any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning.
• How these processes interact to affect the patient.